A Disarming Spirit opens with Archbishop Hunthausen's historic speech denouncing the Trident nuclear submarine fleet harbored in his archdiocese. It then traces a range of religion and society issues that shaped his Seattle tenure, and digs deep into the story of turmoil as he faced not only the wrath of secular powers but also scrutiny from the ''restorationist'' papacy of John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, when the central authority of the Catholic Church turned away from the Vatican II model of church so vital to Hunthausen. The book, with three major parts, Conscience, Courage, and Character, allows us to understand not only the contours of Hunthausen's whole life but also some of the larger social forces surrounding an intimate and compelling story of prophetic witness and deep spirituality for peace and justice.

Publisher's NoteAcknowledgementsForeword by Rev. Michael G. RyanTribute to a Colleague by Bishop Thomas GumbletonNote from the Author

''To write a book giving the facts of a person's life is important. But to write a book that brings out the depth of a person's character is a true achievement.''--Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Detroit, Michigan

''A book worth reading, even meditating on...A Disarming Spirit is about what one person can mean due to the issues he articulated, the courage of his actions, and the depth of his motivations. In the end, Archbishop Hunthausen would not want this book to be much about him, but rather the justice and peace he believed in and worked for.''--Kirby Brown, Chaplain of Dignity Seattle

''Frank Fromherz has told the Hunthausen story well. From his years of careful research, reflection, and writing, we can see the transforming gift of this life of deep faith and the humility to listen...May we absorb the Huntahusen story with the depth of grace in which it has been lived.''--James W. Douglass, Author, JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters

''This is a story that the people of Montana and the entire northwest region of this country need to hear. Someone in this corner of the world has left his mark.''--Con Kelly, close friend of Hunthausen and bioethicist

''History will likely reveal Raymond Hunthausen as one of the most courageous voices in late 20th century U.S. Catholicism, and no one better describes the Seattle archbishop's prophetic role than Frank Fromherz...This is more than a biography. It is a study of moral character, a carefully researched portrait of one man's journey toward faithfulness and integrity.''--Fr. John Heagle and Sr. Fran Ferder, founders of Therapy and Renewal Associates

''Impressive in scope, the book provides an excellent representation of the larger societal context that frames the highlighted events...the book left me inspired and hopeful.''--Peter Callero, Author, The Myth of Individualism: How Social Forces Shape Our Lives

Frank Fromherz, Ph.D. was raised on an Oregon berry and dairy farm and now lives on native oak habitat-restored land near Yamhill, Oregon. He retired June 2018 from a long career as a college professor. In recent years he taught sociology of religion, sociology of peace, and sociology of war at Portland State University. He dedicated many years to Catholic social justice and peace education and action, beginning his career at Mt. Angel Seminary in 1978, teaching later at the University of Portland, and directing the Office of Justice and Peace/Catholic Campaign for Human Development for the Archdiocese of Portland (1990 - 2003).